California Academy of Sciences
Strategic Advancement Manager
California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, California, United States, 94199
About the California Academy of Sciences
The California Academy of Sciences is a globally renowned scientific and cultural institution located in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. Home to a planetarium, aquarium, research center, and natural history museum—under one living roof—our mission is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration. Our collections span plants, animals, fossils, and cultural artifacts from across the globe and throughout history. We are a diverse team of biodiversity scientists, educators, storytellers, designers, and communicators who work collaboratively to advance knowledge and inspire action through science and storytelling. Joining the Academy means becoming part of a mission-driven community that values curiosity, collaboration, and innovation.
About the Opportunity
(converted to
format in this refinement)
Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer, the Strategic Advancement Manager is a full-time role that works closely with the Advancement Team, other Academy Departments, and Academy Leadership. This position leads coordinated and integrated engagement, stewardship, and fundraising strategies across the team for donors and prospects, and collaborates with Advancement leadership to launch strategic fundraising or operational initiatives. The role also provides fundraising guidance to Advancement staff, championing strategies, tools, and resources for frontline fundraisers, and serves as the Advancement team’s project manager, coordinating initiatives across departments and driving progress.
Organizational Culture
Join a team dedicated to the Academy’s mission, vision and values. The Academy has a new strategic plan with three initiatives—Hope for Reefs, Thriving California, and Islands 2030—leveraging biodiversity science, environmental learning, and collaborative engagement to regenerate fragile ecosystems. We are committed to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion in culture and operations, from recruitment to advocacy. This position is based in San Francisco, with onsite work 2-3 days per week or as needed. This role is part of a bargaining unit represented by Cal Academy Workers United. All staff may be subject to the terms of the relevant collective bargaining agreement when applicable. Candidates must have up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination, absent exemptions where required by law.
Key Responsibilities Strategy Program Leadership and Integration
Provide thought partnership with fundraising staff to develop donor-specific strategies for cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and portfolio management aligned with Academy priorities
Advise on solicitation planning, prepare meeting briefs and materials, and manage follow-up related to donor meetings
Collaborate with the Executive Director’s Office to plan bespoke itineraries for meetings or site visits and debrief on fundraising strategy meetings
Partner with Advancement Communications to create fundraising proposal materials and funding opportunity menus tied to strategic initiatives
Develop and maintain donor stewardship policies to build personalized donor relationships and update as needed
Coordinate with Donor Events and Donor Experience teams to ensure consistent tracking of donor interactions
Lead and organize cross-departmental strategy meetings and drive progress
Manage stewardship reports and ensure timely communication with grant terms in collaboration with Relationship Managers, program reps, and the Communications Team
Lead fundraising strategy discussions to connect Strategic Initiative partners with fundraising staff and engage donors
Develop and implement personalized donor engagement strategies to increase retention
Project Management, Data Analysis, and System Development
Collaborate with Finance on budgeting, initiative fundraising tracking, and reporting tools
Work with Advancement Operations to optimize moves management and prospect tracking in Tessitura
Support timely supporter acknowledgments with Relationship Managers
Lead cohesive approaches to donor pipeline and prospecting systems with key teams
Prioritize research requests with the Advancement Research team and ensure efficient workflows
Maintain strong working relationships to support efficient tracking and strategy across the division
Ensure Tessitura updates reflect division-wide fundraising plans and touchpoints
Portfolio Management and Solicitation Activation
Collaborate with the CAO and Director, Leadership Philanthropy to manage next steps with six-figure+ donor portfolios
Grow donor pyramid and ensure appropriate touchpoints are maintained for all prospects
Other
Follow all Academy safety regulations
Ability to work evenings and weekends to support donor events
Perform other duties as assigned
Qualifications Experience and/or Education
At least five years in donor strategy or related field with increasing responsibility
Experience leading fundraising decisions and strategies on a medium to large Development Team
Relationship and moves management experience in a fast-paced fundraising environment
Experience using a donor database; Tessitura is preferred
Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Solid fundraising and donor stewardship foundations including data analysis, prospect identification, and solicitation design
Ability to prioritize and manage multiple priorities with deadlines
Energetic, self-directed, flexible, creative, and collaborative
Strong judgment, escalation, and upward management; diplomatic collaboration with peers, volunteers, vendors, and donors
Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills
Initiative and teamwork orientation; experience designing proposals and presentations
Proficiency with Google and MS Office; highly organized and detail-oriented
Compensation and Benefits The hourly range for this position is $82,202 - $85,530. Compensation will reflect qualifications and experience, including education, certifications, and market standards. The Academy offers a total compensation package with base salary and benefits. Further details will be discussed during the interview process.
Schedule Full-Time, 40 hours per week.
Application Process Please upload your resume and complete the brief online application.
Equal Employment Opportunity The California Academy of Sciences provides equal consideration to all qualified applicants. We do not discriminate on any protected status. Read our full Equal Opportunity Statement.
How to Apply and Contact Interested in building your career at California Academy of Sciences? Apply for this job and receive future opportunities via email.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
The California Academy of Sciences is a globally renowned scientific and cultural institution located in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. Home to a planetarium, aquarium, research center, and natural history museum—under one living roof—our mission is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration. Our collections span plants, animals, fossils, and cultural artifacts from across the globe and throughout history. We are a diverse team of biodiversity scientists, educators, storytellers, designers, and communicators who work collaboratively to advance knowledge and inspire action through science and storytelling. Joining the Academy means becoming part of a mission-driven community that values curiosity, collaboration, and innovation.
About the Opportunity
(converted to
format in this refinement)
Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer, the Strategic Advancement Manager is a full-time role that works closely with the Advancement Team, other Academy Departments, and Academy Leadership. This position leads coordinated and integrated engagement, stewardship, and fundraising strategies across the team for donors and prospects, and collaborates with Advancement leadership to launch strategic fundraising or operational initiatives. The role also provides fundraising guidance to Advancement staff, championing strategies, tools, and resources for frontline fundraisers, and serves as the Advancement team’s project manager, coordinating initiatives across departments and driving progress.
Organizational Culture
Join a team dedicated to the Academy’s mission, vision and values. The Academy has a new strategic plan with three initiatives—Hope for Reefs, Thriving California, and Islands 2030—leveraging biodiversity science, environmental learning, and collaborative engagement to regenerate fragile ecosystems. We are committed to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion in culture and operations, from recruitment to advocacy. This position is based in San Francisco, with onsite work 2-3 days per week or as needed. This role is part of a bargaining unit represented by Cal Academy Workers United. All staff may be subject to the terms of the relevant collective bargaining agreement when applicable. Candidates must have up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination, absent exemptions where required by law.
Key Responsibilities Strategy Program Leadership and Integration
Provide thought partnership with fundraising staff to develop donor-specific strategies for cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and portfolio management aligned with Academy priorities
Advise on solicitation planning, prepare meeting briefs and materials, and manage follow-up related to donor meetings
Collaborate with the Executive Director’s Office to plan bespoke itineraries for meetings or site visits and debrief on fundraising strategy meetings
Partner with Advancement Communications to create fundraising proposal materials and funding opportunity menus tied to strategic initiatives
Develop and maintain donor stewardship policies to build personalized donor relationships and update as needed
Coordinate with Donor Events and Donor Experience teams to ensure consistent tracking of donor interactions
Lead and organize cross-departmental strategy meetings and drive progress
Manage stewardship reports and ensure timely communication with grant terms in collaboration with Relationship Managers, program reps, and the Communications Team
Lead fundraising strategy discussions to connect Strategic Initiative partners with fundraising staff and engage donors
Develop and implement personalized donor engagement strategies to increase retention
Project Management, Data Analysis, and System Development
Collaborate with Finance on budgeting, initiative fundraising tracking, and reporting tools
Work with Advancement Operations to optimize moves management and prospect tracking in Tessitura
Support timely supporter acknowledgments with Relationship Managers
Lead cohesive approaches to donor pipeline and prospecting systems with key teams
Prioritize research requests with the Advancement Research team and ensure efficient workflows
Maintain strong working relationships to support efficient tracking and strategy across the division
Ensure Tessitura updates reflect division-wide fundraising plans and touchpoints
Portfolio Management and Solicitation Activation
Collaborate with the CAO and Director, Leadership Philanthropy to manage next steps with six-figure+ donor portfolios
Grow donor pyramid and ensure appropriate touchpoints are maintained for all prospects
Other
Follow all Academy safety regulations
Ability to work evenings and weekends to support donor events
Perform other duties as assigned
Qualifications Experience and/or Education
At least five years in donor strategy or related field with increasing responsibility
Experience leading fundraising decisions and strategies on a medium to large Development Team
Relationship and moves management experience in a fast-paced fundraising environment
Experience using a donor database; Tessitura is preferred
Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Solid fundraising and donor stewardship foundations including data analysis, prospect identification, and solicitation design
Ability to prioritize and manage multiple priorities with deadlines
Energetic, self-directed, flexible, creative, and collaborative
Strong judgment, escalation, and upward management; diplomatic collaboration with peers, volunteers, vendors, and donors
Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills
Initiative and teamwork orientation; experience designing proposals and presentations
Proficiency with Google and MS Office; highly organized and detail-oriented
Compensation and Benefits The hourly range for this position is $82,202 - $85,530. Compensation will reflect qualifications and experience, including education, certifications, and market standards. The Academy offers a total compensation package with base salary and benefits. Further details will be discussed during the interview process.
Schedule Full-Time, 40 hours per week.
Application Process Please upload your resume and complete the brief online application.
Equal Employment Opportunity The California Academy of Sciences provides equal consideration to all qualified applicants. We do not discriminate on any protected status. Read our full Equal Opportunity Statement.
How to Apply and Contact Interested in building your career at California Academy of Sciences? Apply for this job and receive future opportunities via email.
#J-18808-Ljbffr